Vice chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Prof. Tanko Ishaya, has announced plans to establish a dedicated Institute of Sports.
He said it will offer degree programmes and diplomas in sports medicine, science, management, nutrition, journalism, law among others.
Ishaya said his vision is to make sports the cornerstone of the university, with the goal of re-positioning the institution as a hub for Olympic athletes in the near future.
The vice chancellor made the disclosure at the weekend at a media hype and unveiling of the NUGA Games, scheduled for November 2025.
He said the goal is to professionalise Nigerian sports, improve the country’s GDP and provide students with opportunities for employment and showcasing their talents globally.
Represented by the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Prof. Ishaya Pam, the vice-chancellor said the university had made its mark on the international stage, participating in the 2023 World University Games in China and the African University Sports competition in Lagos last year.
The 27th edition of the NUGA Games aims to showcase both the University of Jos and Plateau State.
Tanko expressed confidence that the university’s international partner, CB, would help market the competition, secure sponsorship, and ensure that it would be the most exciting and spectacular NUGA Games to date.
The Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the general manager of the Plateau Tourism Corporation, Chuwang Pwajok, stressed the governor’s commitment to sports development, highlighting the renewal of sporting facilities in the state.
He emphasised the responsibility of Jos people, especially students of UNIJOS, to promote and protect the city’s image.
The University of Jos Alumni Association (UJAA) global president, Dr. Gad Shamaki, pledged the association’s commitment to creating visibility, fostering acceptance, and instilling a sense of ownership in the process.
Meanwhile, Khalifa Patrick of CBS, the university’s partner, said they would be driving sponsorship and ensuring a befitting NUGA Games, focusing not only on sports but also on youth engagement and empowerment.
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